NFC East 2010 Outlook: An Eagles preview

With OTA'sunderway and training camp coming up, I felt it would be fun to recap the NFC East off-season to this point and what it means in the up and coming season, by analyzing new players and defining the needs of the teams to have a successful season.  I'll kick things off with the Eagles.

(DeSean Jackson (above) returning a punt against the Giants for a Touchdown)

Key Losses in Offseason: Donovan McNabb QB, Sheldon Brown CB, Brian Westbrook RB, Shawn Andrews OG/OT

Analysis: The Eagles revamped bothsides of the ball with youth by letting go of veteran Brian Westbrook and trading Sheldon Brown and Donovan McNabb. They also rid themselves of highly talented but troubled Shawn Andrews. However, they addressed defensive needs by adding CB/S Marlin Jackson in free agency and trading for LB ErineSims. They continued addressing the weak defense in the draft by drafting nine defensive players out of thirteen overall picks. The unusual draft by Andy Reid shows the faith in the personnel he already has, even in the offensive line, where he usually spends draft picks every year.

Impact Players of 2010 Eagles: Kevin Kolb QB, Nick Cole C/OG, Stacy Andrews OG, Brandon Graham DE, Steward Bradley MLB, Mosie Foku SLB, Joselio Hanson CB, Elllis Hobbs CB, Nate Allen FS, Marlin Jackson CB/FS

Kevin Kolb is easily an impact player of the 2010 season for the Eagles. He will be leading the young but talented offense at the most important position in the game, the quarterback. His good decisions and accuracy are key this year. However, his first season will also be significant as the evaluation of the Redskin trade is decided on the season of the quarterbacks (Kolb and McNabb).

Nick Cole and Stacy Andrews are impact players in two scenarios. The first one has Nick Cole directing the Eagles offensive line as usual starter Jamaal Jackson will likely not play in 2010 after a late season ACLinjury. If Nick is starting center, then the big acquisition from 2008, Stacy Andrews will likely start at right guard. Andrews was expected to start last year, but the new scheme added witha recovering knee surgery equated to little time seen on the field. There is major pressure to perform for Stacy, as he took a pay-cut early this off-season and his brother, longtime Eagle Shawn Andrews, was let go this off-season as football looked like a less likely career for the pro-bowl guard. In the second scenario, Nick and Stacy compete at right guard, as the Eagles have someone else plays center. The first seems more likely, but in either scenario, both will have a huge (no pun intended) impact on the offensive line, the running game, and Kolb's health.

Brandon Graham was a impact player in college, but that's not the full reason he's on this list. Graham was taken by the Eagles 13thoverall a month ago and is expected to play opposite Trent Cole during the season. However, many young DE's don't have a successful rookie season. There have been only three rookie DE's/3-4 OLB's to reach double digit sacks in their rookie season since 2006. Kamerion Wimbely, Brian Orakpo, and Clay Matthews. Those three are the only ones since 2006. That's one of the many reasons their is sucha high bust rate with DE's. Extra pressure is added to Graham, as Daniel Te'o-Neshiem (taken in the 3rd) and Ricky Sapp (taken in the 5th) were added in the draft as well as highly regarded Darryl Tapp was added in a trade.

Steward Bradley missed all of 2009 with a torn ACL during flight night. In 2009, the Eagles had 6 different starting middle linebackers. The poor linebacker play was one of the major reasons why this was one of the worst Eagles defenses in recent memory. Bradley, regarded to be on the brink of a pro-bowl, must show us why we thought that.

Mosie Foku stole Chris Gocong's job at the end of the year last year. Now GocongandBrown are with the Browns. Foku was a 7throundpick in 2009 and was not on many fans radar's. He is mostly remembered by solid play with the exception of penalties. Now it's just him, Keenan Clayton, and Rick Sapp. And he must continue to improve or these rookies could steal his job just as well as he did with Gocong.

Joselio Hanson and Ellis Hobbs are to battle it out for the starting right cornerback spot after Sheldon Brown and Chris Gocongwere shipped to the Browns. Hanson had a down year with a four game suspension over the substance abuse policy. Hobbs, saw little time at corner, but was decent in the kick return game until mid-season when he had a season ending neck injury. If Hanson returns to 2008 form and shows us and the coaches that he deserves his contract, he will start. If Hobbs shows comfortably in the system and outshines Hanson, he will start, recreating the Patriots secondary a little. A wild card in this competition is Marlin Jackson, who is currently competition at the free safety position, but has experienceat corner withthe Colts. But he has a history withknee injuries and has stiff competition with second rounder Nate Allen. Allen, is expected to greatly improve a huge need at safety, that was left two off-seasons ago by Brian Dawkins.

Biggest (pun intended) Factor of the Season:Andy Reid. The first year without McNabb at helm will take adjustments by Reid and Co. More balance is needed for Kolbto shine, as he doesn't have the arm strength of McNabb to blast the ball down-field like Reid likes nor has the mobility of McNabb, when defenses see the predictability of the offense and bring plenty of pressure. By giving second year running back LeSean McCoymorerushing attempts than Westbrook got, defenses will have to guess more with the Eagles and giving less of a load to Kolb. Game management will also be key with such a young offense. Timeouts at the right time give Kolb options during 2 min drills.

What can be expected on Offense:Kolb will provide accuracy so that worms can finally thrive at the Linc, as well as hitting play makers in stride. Brent Celek will have a record season as well as DeSean Jackson. McCoy will see more screen plays and develop into 36 2.0.

What needs to happen on Offense: Improved offensive line play needs to happen most of all. Kolb cannot see as much pressure as McNabbsaw during the last two meetings with the Cowboys. Otherwise, Kolb will become the next DaivdCarr in Houston. Short yardage plays must be easier than first and ten for the offense, as well as _ and goal. Balance in the running game withMcCoy and Weaver in needed more than ever. And smart plays need to be called with Vick in the game.

What can be expected on Defense:A much improved defense overall. We are taking a page out of the Giants Superbowlrun with the amazing defensiveline depth. With a strong rotation, even the best offensive lines.

What needs to happen on Defense: Better man and zone play throughout the secondary. We allowed 216.4 yards per game average! That is way to high for any team. Asante will improve the tackling, but I still worry about the double moves. Mikell had a down year overall. Linebacker stability and coverage also need to improve. Pressure from the two DT's Brodrick Bunkley and Mike Patterson on passing down need to happen to rise their sack numbers and open holes for blitzing linebackers.

With serious competition with all four teams this year, the best of the Eagles needs to be seen this year.